Verification and sorting machines



Nov. 28, 1961 P. E. ANDERSON ET AL 3,010,577

VERIFICATION AND SORTING MACHINES Filed March 10, 1960 14 Sheets-Sheet l IN vz-w Tons 195 44 NDERSO/V 1?. 0. B/RCi/LER A '70 R/VE Nov. 28, 1961 P. E. ANDERSON ET AL 3,010,577

VERIFICATION AND SORTING MACHINES Filed March 10, 1960 14 Sheets-Sheet? INVENTORS I? E ANDERSON If. 0. E/ACfi/ZE/P ATTORNEY Nov. 28, 1961 P. E.. ANDERSON ET AL VERIFICATION AND SORTING MACHINES 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 10, 1960 //V VENTORS BE. A magma/1 R. o. Ema/115R A 770 R/VE) II I- l l. I I- i- I...

Nov. 28, 1961 P. E. ANDERSON ETAL 3, 10, 77

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VERIFICATION AND SORTING MACHINES l4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 10, 1960 'INV5/VTOR5' 195 A NOE/PSO RAB/Raw R ATTOR/VE Nov. 28, 1961 P. E. ANDERSON ETAL v VERIFICATION AND SORTING MACHINES 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 10, 1960 Fla. /0

Nov. 28, 1961 P. E. ANDERSON ET AL 3,010,577

VERIFICATION AND SORTING MACHINES Filed March 10, 1960 14 Sheets-Sheet 7 Nov. 28, 1961 P. E. ANDERSON ETAL 3,010,577

- VERIFICATION AND SORTING MACHINES' Filed March 10, 1960 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 FIG. /8

INVENTO/Ps E'. A AIDE/PSO I? I BIRCWL ER H 12.9 u u u u u u u u u 1961 P. E. ANDERSON ET AL ERIFICATION AND SORTING MACHINES 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed March 10, 1960 INVENTORS R E ANOERs'o/V P. E. ANDERSON ETAL 3,010,577 VERIFICATION AND SORTING MACHINES Nov, 28, 1961 14 Sheets-Sheet '12 Filed March 10, 1960 FIG. 28

I 2 INVENTORS F 6 9 EEAA/DERSO/V Nov. 28, 1961 P. E, ANDERSON ET AL VERIFICATION AND SORTING MACHINES Filed March 10, 1960 14 Sheets-Sheet 15 nvvsA/rok's Ndv. 28;1961 P. E. ANDERSON ET AL 5 5 VERIFICATION AND SORTING MACHINES l4 Sheets-Sheet 14 Filed March 10, 1960 FIG. 32

ATTORNEY INVENTORS RE. ANDERSON .B/Rcw E 3,010,577 VERIFICATION AND SORTING MACHINES Paul E. Anderson, Hinsdale, 111., and Robert O. Birchier,

Richardson, Tex., assignors to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 10, 1960, Ser. No. 14,027 Claims. (Cl. 2.0975) desirable to provide an automatic machine with means for determining whether the articles being successively subjected to various testing operations conform to preestablished coded specifications. Furthermore, it is desirable that -a machine include functionally independent testing stations which can be individually coded to perform a series of tests on articles being successively advanced relative thereto.

Therefore, an additional object of the invention is to provide a verification machine having a plurality of independent test stations which function to perform a sequence of tests on articles being successively indexed therethrough.

A further object of this invention is to provide a verification machine having a drive means for actuating a plurality of testing devices in timed relation to an indeXing means which advances the articles into alignmerit therewith.

Another object of this invention resides in providing an automatic verification machine with a control means that is responsive to a coded medium for selectively establishing the conditions for each test to be performed on articles being indexed therethrough.

A more finite object of the invention resides in the provision of a verification machine having a sensing means associated with each of the test stations for ascertaining whether an article is properly aligned therewith prior to the performance of a test thereon.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved machine for sorting articles in accordance with a selected characteristic thereof, wherein means for detecting a selected characteristic of the articles are adjusted by a coded control medium to determine the article characteristic to be detected.

With these and other objects in view, the present invention contemplates an automatic vertification machine, a preferred embodiment of which includes a plurality of test stations that are rendered efi'ective to ascertain whether articles being successively indexed relative thereto conform to pre-established coded specifications. The tests performed on articles aligned with the various testing stations are conducted simultaneously and involve the actuation of pivotal'ly mounted test heads that move into engagement with the articles subsequent to their having been indexed into alignment therewith. A main drive shaft having a plurality of cams mounted thereon not only effects the simultaneous operation of the various tmt heads but also controls the actuation of an indexing means which functions to advance the articles relative to the test heads in timed relation to the testing operations performed thereby. A discharge device is pro- United States Patent vided at each of the various test stations and is rendered effective subsequent to the determination that an article under test does not conform to the specifications dictated by the coded medium.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a specific embodiment thereof when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational' view partially broken away of an automatic article-verification machine embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a partial horizontal sectional view taken along the line 1A1A of FIG. 1 illustrating an indexing control means;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the verification machine illustrated in FIG. 1, which depicts the relative positions of the various test stations;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation illustrating a card feed mechanism which conditions a control circuit associated with the verification machine for operation;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevation partially in section taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 further illustrating the card feed mechanism shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3 illustrating the cooperation of a punched card with the control switches;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a relay contact comb which is subjected to the various tests performed by the automatic verification machine;

FIG. 6A is an end view of a portion of relay contact combs illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating a 500 volt breakdown test head in a retracted position with an article positioned in alignment therewith;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 88 of FIG. 7 depicting a discharge device of the type provided at each of the various test stations of the verification machine;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary side view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 7 again illustrating the 500 volt breakdown test head in an unactuated position;

FIG. 9A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating a pivotally mounted cam-operated actuating means for the 500 volt test head;

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 10-40 of FIG. 7 illustrating a conveyor for removing articles to a pair of reject magazines subsequent to the actuation of the escapement device;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of the conveyor illustrated in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 1212 of FIG. 2 illustrating the magazines whereto rejected articles are advanced by the conveyor illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view of the upper portion of one of the reject magazines illustrated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a removal device that is utilized to feed rejected articles to the magazines;

FIG. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 1515 of FIG. 14 illustrating a gate device which functions to align articles with one of the two reject magazines provided at each test station;

FIG. 16 is a fiagmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 16-16 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 1717 of FIG. 2 depicting a guide fin detector test head in a retracted position;

FIG. 17A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating a pivotally mounted cam operated actuating means for the guide fin detector test head;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the guide fin detector test head with an article positioned in alignment therewith;

FIG. 19 illustrates the guide fin detector test head in an actuated position; 7

FIG. 20 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line'20-20 of FIG. 19 illustrating a plurality of sensing fingers of the guide fin detector test head and sensing switches actuated thereby;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 2121 of FIG. 2 depicting a contact metal detector test head in a retracted position;

FIG. 21A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating a pivotally mounted cam operated actuating means for the contact metal detector test head;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the contact metal detector test head illustrated in FIG. 21;

FIG. '23 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an article turnover device and an actuating means therefor;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 24-24 of FIG. 23 depicting the turnover device with an article positioned therein;

FIG. 25 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 2525 of FIG. 24 illustrating the turnover device and a portion of the indexing means that cooperates therewith;

FIG. 26 is a linear timing chart illustrating the relative actuating times of the article turnover cam, the article transfer cam and the article test fixture cams; and

FIGS. 27-33 illustrate a simplified schematic diagram of an electrical control-circuit for the verification machine depicted in the other figures.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and.6, the manner in which the illustrated embodiment of the automatic verification machine functions and the operations performed thereby will be broadly outlined. A supply of relay contact combs generally designated by the numeral 50 (FIG. 6) is selectively fed to the verification machine from an article-feeding magazine (not 7 shown) similar to that disclosed in the patent to E. W.

Larsen et al., Patent No. 2,846,832. The relay contact combs, which are assembled in wire spring relays after the testing thereof, comprise .a row of elongated wires 51 that are molded in spaced relation to each other within two blocks 52A and 52B of an insulating material such as molded phenolic plastic.

The specific use to which each of the combs is to be put requires that the structural features thereof conform to pre-established specifications. Accordingly, it may be desired that one, several or all of the wires 51 have precious metal contacts 53 and 53 deposited on contact 7 blocks or base elements 54 that are secured to one extremity thereof.

When the combs are assembled in wire spring relays,

one group of precious metal contacts 53 deposited on' the lower side of each comb 50, will normally be engaged by a-lower group of terminal contactors 56, as seen in FIG. 6A. Those precious metal contacts 53 deposited on the upper side of each comb normally will be disengaged from associated upper terminal contactors aligned therewith. Upon energization of the assembled wire spring relay, successive switching operations result in the contact 53 being disengaged from associated contactors 56 and the contacts 53 being engaged by associated contacts. To enhance the clarity of the following description and since the wire spring relays in which the combs are utilized are characterized by this Make-Break action of the contactors 56, the upper side of the comb whereon the contacts 53 are provided will be hereinafter referred to' as the make side and the lower portion of the comb will be designated as the break side. e

The block 52B is constructed to provide a plurality of guide fins 57 that function to separate the terminal contactors 56 and preclude the possibility of shorting therebetween subsequent to the assemblage of a relay. It is '4 necessary, therefore, when verifying the characteristics of a run of relay contact combs, to determine whether precious metal contacts have been deposited on the designated base elements and whether a guide fin is formed on the insulating block 5213 adjacent each of the contacts.

Referring to FIGS, 1 and 2, there is shown a group of five stations whereat testing operations are performed on the relay contact combs 'as they are indexed through the verification machine. At the first test station generally designated by the numeral 61, a 500 volt'potential is applied to adjacent wires of a comb 50 aligned therewith to test the breakdown characteristics of the insulating blocks 52A and 52B.

A second station generally designated by the numeral 62 tests for the presence or absence of plastic guide fins 57 adjacent to those wires 51 having precious metal con tacts deposited on the associated base element 54. Subsequent thereto, the relay. contact combs are indexed to a third station generally designated by the numeral 63 at which a test is performed to determine whether precious metal contacts are present where required.

The tests performed on the relay contact combs at stations 62 and 63 check only the characteristics of the upper or make side of the combs. Accordingly, it is necessary to rotate the combs degrees in order that the bottom or break side of each can be subjected to contact detecting and fin sensing tests. The rotation of the combs is accomplished at the station generally designated by the numeral 64 and, as is the case with the operation of the othertesting station, is performed in timed relationship to the actuation of the indexing means.

The test stations generally designated by the numerals 66 and 67 perform contact metal detector and fin sensing tests, respectively, on the break side of the relay contact combs. A comb which has satisfactorily passed each of the tests at the various stations is thereafter indexed to a discharge station (not shown). Should a relay contact comb fail to conform to the coded specifications for which the various test stations have been conditioned, a discharge device associated with the station at which the article is determined to be defective is rendered operable and the rejected article isshunted to one of two reject magazines generally designated by the numerals 68 and 69.

, As previously described, it is essential to condition each of the test stations for the particular characteristics V indicative of the condition wherein a precious metal contact is required. Two such edge portions are provided for each contact block, one for the upper side and the other for the lower side. 7

The card 71 illustrated in FIG. 5 represents the manner in which a card is punched sothat the verification machine is conditioned to accept articles having the characteristics of the comb illustrated in FIG. 6. It will be noted in viewing this comb that the first wire 51 of the first group of four wires projecting from the body 52B has no base element 54 associated therewith. In keeping with absence of precious metal contacts on the first wire, two cutouts are present in the card 71 in the lefthand extremity thereof. The second wire 51 has a precious metal contact 53 deposited on the bottom or break side of the contact block 54 but none on the upper or make side. Therefore, only one cutout is present in that portion of the card 71 representing this second wire. Since contacts are present on both the make and break side of the base element 54 secured to the third wire, no cutouts or punches are present in that portion of the card 71 relating thereto. A contact 53 is present on the upper side of the contact block secured to the fourth wire projecting from the block 52B; accordingly, one cutout is provided in that portion of the card. Since the characteristics of the second group of four wires are identical to those of the first group, the second half of the card will be punched in a manner identical to the first half thereof.

It is intended that each of the combs tested have characteristics which conform to the information punched in the card 71 and that the absence of any of the precious metal contacts required or the absence of a guide fin adjacent thereto will result in an article being rejected. It is further intended that the breakdown of theinsulating material between adjacent wires will also cause an article to be rejected. If a precious metal contact is present on a base element where not required, the article may nevertheless pass the various tests performed by the machine. Although the article wont conform to the coded specifications, the presence of an additional precious metal contact will not result in a malfunction of the particular relays wherein the combs are used.

GENERAL STRUCTURAL FEATURES The verification machine comprises a base or cabinet structure 77 (FIG. 1) having a lower support plate 78 whereon a drive motor 79 is securely mounted. The motor 79 drives a speed reducer 81 which transmits motion through a belt and pulley apparatus generally designated by the numeral 82 to a main drive shaft 83. The drive shaft 83 is supported within a plurality of bushing members 84 that extend from an upper support plate 85 of the cabinet structure 77.

The main drive shaft 83 has secured thereto a plurality of cams (FIGS. 1A, 9A, 17A and 21A) which effect the actuation of the various test heads and an article indexing means. Also secured to the shaft 83 is a belt and pulley apparatus 87 which serves to drive a conveyor means associated with a discharge device that is provided at each of the test stations. Mounted above and toward the rearward portion of the upper support plate 86 is a control panel generally designated by the numeral 90 wherein a card feed mechanism 76 is located.

Card feed mechanism 7 The card feed mechanism 76 (FIGS. 3, 4 and includes a housing 91 having a pair of end plates 92 and 93 between which is secured a pair of L-shaped support brackets 94. A shaft 96 is pivotally mounted within and extends beyond the end plates 92 and 93. Secured to the shaft 96 is a card holder 97 having a bed plate 98 on which the punched card 71 is placed.

A pair of roller arms 101 and 102 are pivotally mounted on the end plates 92 and 93 respectively. One extremity of each of the roller arms is urged in an outward direction from a backing plate 103 by a springbiased arm 104. The other extremity of each of the roller arms 191 and 102 has rotatably secured thereto a roller 106. The rollers 106 function to engage detents 107 formed in a pair of side plates 108 of the holder 97 and maintain the holder in the dotted position shown in FIG. 4 as an aid to the rapid insertion and removal of the punched card.

Subsequent to the positioning of the card 71 within the holder 97, the holder is manually pivoted in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 until the leading edge of the card selectively actuates switch arms 109 'which are associated with a plurality of normally open switches. Two switches are provided for each wire 51, one for each possible precious metal contact 53 53 md an additional switch is employed as a card senser. The eight switches associated with'the upper contacts 53 are mounted on the upper ofthe two brackets 94 and are designated M1M8, and the eight switches associated with the lower contacts 53,, are mounted on the lower of the two brackets 94 and are designated B1-B8.

6 The card sensing switch is mounted alongside the switch M8 on the upper bracket and is designated by the letter S.

Switches M1 and B1 condition a verification circuit for the make and break sides of the first wire 51. Similarly M2 and B2 condition a verification circuit for the second wire and so on for the eight Wires mounted Within the blocks 52A and 52B. In the illustrated example, the first and fifth wires of the comb 50 do not need to be checked for precious metal contacts 53 or guide fins 57 on either the make or break sides thereof. Accordingly, the card 71 is punched to preclude switches M1, B1, M5 and BS from being actuated.

A precious metal contact should be provided on the break side of the contact block secured to the second wire of both the first and second groups. Accordingly, the card 71 has residual portions to actuate switches B2 and B6 and punched or cutaway portions corresponding to switches M2 and M6. Mani-festly, to condition the test circuits for the remaining precious metal contacts of the comb '50 as illustrated in FIG. 6, switches M3, B3, M4, M7, B7 and B8 should be actuated by residual edge portions of the card 71 while the arms 109 of switches B8 and B4 will move into the cutout edge portions of the card and will not be actuated when the card holder 97 is pivoted within the housing 91.

step through the verification machine by the drive motor 79 acting through indexing or reciprocating transfer means illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1A and 25. This transfer means includes a drum cam 111 and a cam follower 112 received within a cam groove 113 as shown.

The cam follower 112 is carried by an arm 112 which is pivotally mounted on a fixed, vertical shaft 114. As the cam follower 112 traces the cam groove 11-3, the arm 112, is caused to oscillate about the shaft 114. This oscillatory movement is transmitted through a link 117 (FIG. 1A) to a pair of arms 118, the link 117 being connected to the cam follower 112 by a pin 116. The arms 118 are secured to sleeves rotatable about fixed rods or shafts 119.

The shafts 119 and associated sleeves 120 extend upwardly through the support plate 86, and secured to the upper extremities of the sleeves are a pair of arms 121,

best seen in FIG. 2. These linking arms are drivingly connected to a transfer rack 123 through pin or roller and slot connections generally designated 122. The rack 123 is supported by a fixed bar 127 through rollers 126 which are rotatably mounted on the bar 127 and are received within slots 123,, in the rack 123, suitable guides (not shown in the drawings) being provided for holding the rack against the bar 127. The bar 127, in addition to supporting the rack 123, serves as a guide member for the relay combs 50, it being arranged immediately above a bed or transfer plate along which the combs are moved.

It will now be apparent that as the arms 118 and 121 are caused to oscillate by the motor 79 and the drum cam 111, the rack 123 will be made to reciprocate longitudinally of itself. A plurality of pawls or indexing fingers 124 pivotally mounted on the rack 123 engage the relay combs 50 as best seen in FIG. 25 and cause intermittent, unilateral movement of the combs in response to recipro catory movement of the rack 123. More particularly, as the transfer rack 123 moves from right to left as viewed in FIG. 25, the indexing fingers 124 will be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction and freely pass over the articles 50. As the rearward motion of the rack 123 is completed, each finger 124 will pivot down into position to engage an article. The return motion from left to right will result in the article being forced ahead by the finger to the next succeeding position.

Dielectric breakdown test station The dielectric test station 61, best seen in FIGS. 7, 9

. and 9A, includes a 500 volt test head generally designated by the numeral 131. The test head 131 is secured to the upper end 'of an arm 134 which is pivotally mounted on a fixed bracket 13 2 by a pin 136. The arm 134 is caused to pivot about the pin 136 by a cam 135, secured to the drive shaft 83, acting through a cam follower 136 and interconnecting linkage. More particularly, the cam follower 136 is mounted on an arm 137 which is pivotable about a pin 138, the arm being urged in a clockwise direction by a spring 139 such that the cam follower 136 is made to bear against the cam 135. The upper end of the arm 137 is linked with the test head arm 134 by a link 140 such that pivotal movement of the arm 137in'dnced by the cam 135 and the spring 139 is transferred to the test head arm. 7 c i The test fixture'131 is provided with a'plurality of horizontally aligned femalereceptacles 146, four of which 146 (FIGS. 7 and 9) are mounted in two groups of four each within the test fixture 131 and complement the arrangement of the wires 51 projecting from an article 50 aligned therewith. Rotation of the cam 135 and resultant rocking of the test'head toward the relay comb 50 causes reception of the ends of Wires 51 within the receptacles 146 of the test fixtures 131. This rocking of the test fixture is performed in timed relation to the advance of the articles 50 relative to the test station 61. Immediately after an article has been advanced into alignment with the test head 131, the receptacles146 engage the wires 51. Thereafter, a 500 volt breakdown potential is applied to alternate wires to ascertain whether the dielectric characteristics of the phenolic blocks 52A and 52B conform to pre-established requirements. Subsequent to a completion of the breakdown test, the test head is pivoted to its retracted position (shown in FIGS. 7 and 9) and the tested article is advanced to the next succeeding position.

.G uide fin verification station i The guide fin verification tests performed at stations 62 and 67 are accomplished by a test head 161 which is illustrated in FIGS. 17, 17A, 18, 19 and 20. "The test head includes a frame 165 which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 166. A plurality of sensing fingers 168 are pivotally mounted on a rod 169 secured to the frame 165 and are urged into contact with the frame by spring members 171. A plurality of small normally open switches 172 are arranged on the frame 165, one above each finger 168, in positiontto be operated by upwardrnovement of the corresponding finger. As is described in greater detail below, it is intended that the frame 165 be rocked about the shaft 166 to bring the fingers168'against the fins .57 .of the comb 50, the switches 172 corresponding to the fingers 168 which sense fins being actuated by this operation.

Prior to such sensing of comb fins, a pin 173 that is secured to the test head checks for proper comb alignment and to a limited extent corrects misalignment. The pin 173 projects downwardly from the forwardmost extremity of a yoke 167 which is pivoted on the shaft 166. 'A spring 174 urges the yoke 167 in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the frame 165, relative motion in this direction being limited by an adjustable screw 16%. The pin 173- is so positioned that downward pivotal movement of the test head moves the pin into the space between the two groups of elongated wires 51 of a properly aligned comb 50. Should an article not be properly 7 8 167. The switch 176 is included in the control circuit for the drive motor 79 and, upon being actuated, will preclude the further operation thereof.

When an article is in proper alignment at the test station, the pivoting of the test head 161 will advance the pin 173 between the two groups of wires 51 and the fins 57 will be engaged by and cause the fingers 168 to pivot about the rod 169. Each of the fingers 168 will, thereupon, move into engagement with the switch 172 aligned therewith, resulting in the actuation thereof. The contacts associated with the switches 172 are included in a portion of the control circuit to be hereinafter described and function to indicate the presence or absence of guide fins 57 on the block 52B.

The pivoting of the test head subsequent to the alignment of a comb therewith by'the indexing apparatus, is effected by a radial cam 163 that is keyed to the main drive shaft 83 (see FIG. :17A). An arm 162 is pivotally mounted on a fixed bracket by a pin 164 and is maintained in positive engagement with the earn 163 by a spring 168. The upper, bifurcated extremity of the arm 162 receives a roller 175 which is carried by the pivotally mounted frame 165 of the test head 16 1. Pivotal movement of the arm 162 which is induced by the cam 163 and the spring 160 is imparted to the frame 165 and results in the pivoting thereof about the shaft 166.

Contact metal detector test head As illustrated in FIGS. 21, 21A and 22, a contact metal detector test head 181 of the type provided at test stations 63 and 66 includes a support frame 194 that has a plurality of sensing fingers 195 mounted thereon. The support frame 194 is pivotally mounted on'a shaft 196 that is mounted within a pair of brackets 197 extending upwardly from the support plate 86. The fingers 195 are mounted on the frame 194 in spaced relationship and are positioned so that upon pivoting of the frame, the fingers will be brought into engagement with contact blocks of the comb aligned with the test head.

An L-shaped positioning arm designated by the numeral 198 is mounted on the shaft 196 for movement normally with the support frame 194,'but may be pivoted in a clockwise direction, relative'to the support frame against the action of a spring .199.- Thefunction of the L-shaped positioning arm 198 is to sense proper comb alignment and to correct minor misalignment prior to a testing operation. If an article 50 is suificiently misaligned, the arm 198 is not able to pass between the two groups of elongated wires 51 that extend between the blocks 52A and 52B. Accordingly, as the test head 181 is rotated further toward a misaligned comb, the frame 194 is moved relative to the restrained positioning arm and will'withdraw an actuating arm 201,, of a switch 201 from engagement with a downwardly projecting member 202 of the arm 198. The switch 201 functions in a manner analogous to the switch 176 associated with the guide fin test head, and, upon being disengaged, will cause the operation of the drive motor 79 to be interrupted.

When a comb 50 is properly aligned with the test head 181, the pivoting of the support frame 194 in timed relation to the indexing means will bring the sensing fingers 195 into engagement with the one surface of the contact blocks 54 secured to the extremities of the elongated wires 51. One sensing finger '195 is provided for each wire projecting from the block 52. The sensing fingers 195 are heated to and maintained at a temperature of approximately 250 -F. by heaters 207 which are se- 9 ence or absence of precious metal contacts by sensing the magnitude and polarity of a generated thermal is disclosed and claimed in the commonly assigned copending application of M. i. Brown-G. W. Humphreys, Serial No. 14,020, filed March 10, 1960.

The selective pivoting of the test head 181 (FIG. 21) and the advance of the heated fingers 195 into engagement with one surface of the contact blocks 54 is effected by a earn 183 that is secured to the main drive shaft 83 by a key 134. A roller 193, that is secured to the pivotally mounted support frame 194, is positioned in a bifurcated end portion 187, of an arm 187 that is pivotally secured to a fixed bracket 191 by a pin 192. A cam follower 186 is mounted on the arm 187 and is maintained in'positive engagement with the cam by a spring 188. The cam 183 is provided with a second cam surface 208 which engages a cam follower 209 that is secured to a pivotally mounted linking arm 211. This linking arm 211 is secured by a bar 21 to a fixture support member 212 whereon a plurality of female receptacles 213 are mounted Within a block of insulating material 214.

Rotation of the cam 183 causes the concomitant pivoting of the support member 212 and the arm 187. The arm 187 imparts pivotal movement to the support frame 194 thereby bringing the heated fingers 195 into engagement with one side of the contact blocks of the comb under test. At the same time, the support member 212 advances the female receptacles 213 into engagement with the wires 51 to complete the acceptance test circuit.

Article turnover station Guide fin and contact metal detector tests are performed on both the upper (make) and lower (break) sides of the contact relay combs 50. Therefore, it is necessary to rotate the combs subsequent to the performance of tests on one side thereof. The rotation of the contact relay combs 50 is accomplished in timed relation to the indexing of the combs at the turnover station 64 and will best be understood by reference to FIGS. 23, 24 and 25.

A barrel cam 221 that has a groove 225 formed therein is mounted on the main drive shaft 83 adjacent the barrel cam 111 previously referred to. An arm 222, which is pivotally secured to the support frame 77 by a pin 223, has secured thereto a cam follower 224 that is received Within the groove 225 of the earn 221. The upper extremity 227 of the am 222 is bifurcated to receive a pin 228 that projects from a rack 229.

The rack 229 is slidably mounted on a frame 230, the rack having a portion 229 which dovetails with a portion 230 of the frame 230. This frame 230 is secured to the upper support plate 86 and the rack is caused to slide relative thereto upon reciprocation of the linking arm 222. A pinion gear 232 is positioned in alignment with the rack 229 and is rotated in oscillatory fashion thereby as the rack moves back and forth during the rotation of the barrel cam 221. More particularly, as the cam follower 224 traces the groove 225, the arm 222 is pivoted about the pin 223 and imparts bilateral motion to the rack 229.

A one-way clutch 234, which may be of conventional construction, is mounted adjacent the gear 232 on a shaft 237 that projects outwardly from one extremity of a turnover housing generally designated by the numeral 236, the clutch functioning to preclude any counterclockwise rotation of the housing as seen in FIG. 25. It should be noted that the gear 232 is freely rotatable on the shaft 237. A pin 239 projects from the rearward extremity of the housing 236 (FIG. 24) and is rotatably mounted within a support member 241 that extends upwardly from the support plate 86. The structural features of the abovedescribed turnover device are similar to those of the article turnover device disclosed and claimed in the patent to C. R. Rasmussen, Patent No. 2,881,899, filed January 28, 1957.

When an article is advanced to and within the turnover housing 236 by an indexing finger 124, the timed reciprocation of the linking arm 222 effects a clockwise rotation of the housing through 180 (FIG. 25), thereby turning over a comb which is positioned on a support bracket 238 within the housing. A spring urged detent member 242 which is positioned Within the frame 230 moves into a groove 243 formed in the outer periphery of the housing 236 when the groove is rotated into alignment therewith and insures that the housing stops in the proper angular orientation. Sub-sequent to the rotation of the housing, a hook-like member 246 that is secured to the rack 123 is advanced into the apertured portion of the housing and is cammed over the comb 50 therein. During the return stroke of the rack, this member engages and removes the rotated article from the housing while another article is advanced thereinto in anticipation of a subsequent turnover operation.

Discharge device and reject magazine As previously set forth, a discharge device is provided at each of the stations whereat tests are performed on the contact relay combs. Accordingly, an independently operable discharge device is associated with the dielectric breakdown test head and with each of the guide fin verification test heads and contact metal detector test heads. The selective actuation of the discharge devices to reject defective combs at each of these test stations is effected by a plurality of solenoids which are included in the control circuit to be hereinafter described.

The transfer plate 125 over which the contact relay combs are successively indexed has a trap door 252 provided therein in alignment with each of the best head as is best seen in FIG. 8. A piston arm 253 of an air cylinder 254, which is controlled by the solenoids previously referred to, is secured to the trap door 252 by means of a linking arm 255. Upon ascertaining a defective article, the cylinder 254 is rendered operative and causes the piston arm 253 to be retracted. Retraction of the arm 253 pivots the trap door 252 about a pin 257 and into engagement with a switch 260. A defective article positioned on the trap door 252 is dropped onto a deflector plate 258 and transferred to a conveyor generally designated by the numeral 259 (FIGS. 10 and 11). The conveyor 259 is of the endless belt type and includes a belt 261, idler pulleys 264 and a pulley 262 secured to a drive shaft 263. The shaft 263 and, accordingly the belt 261 are driven by the belt and pulley apparatus 87 and advance the rejected articles to a second conveyor 266.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-16, the manner in which the rejected combs are selectively shunted to the magazines 68 and 69 from the conveyor 266 will be set forth. Rejected combs are transfe ed by the conveyor 266 until brought into engagement with a gate 272 and thereby precluded from further advancement. The gate 272 is positioned so that an article advanced into engagement therewith will be aligned with the reject magazine 69. A shaft 273, which is rotatably mounted within bushing members (not shown) directly above and in alignment with the conveyor 266, has mounted thereon an arm 274 that rotates therewith. Secured to the lower extremity of the arm 274 is a tubular member 275 positioned to sweep across the conveyor 266 immediately thereabove and drive any comb engaging the gate 272 off the conveyor across a transfer plate 277 and into the reject magazine 69. The reject magazines 68 and 69 are provided with a slot 278 to receive the rejected combs in uniform fashion.

As previously indicated, two reject magazines 68 and 69 are provided adjacent each test station. The gate 272 serves to direct rejected combs into the first magazine 69 until it is filled, after which the gate 272, under the control of apparatus described immediately below, permits combs to be directed to the second magazine 68. This arrangement permits emptying of the reject magazines without interrupting normal operation of the machine.

' the frame of the magazine.

The apparatus for elfecting automatic actuation of the gate 272 includes a pair of light sources 281 and 282 arranged on the inner surface of each magazine and projecting light across an apertured portion thereof to a pair of photoelectric cells 283 and .284 that are mounted within It is intended that filling of the magazine with rejected combs will interrupt the light beams, deenergize the photoelectric cells and produce a warning signal through actuation of a solenoid 286 (see FIG. 15 The circuitry through which the photoelectric cells control the solenoid 286 is described below along with other control circuits.

An actuating arm 287 of the solenoid 286 is secured to a pivotally mounted arm 288. One extremity of this arm is secured by a pin 289 to the lower portion of a shaft'291 to which the gate 272 is secured. interposed between the lower extremity of the shaft 291 and a sup port bracket 292, on which the solenoid 286 is mounted, is a spring 293 that normally functions to maintain the gate in a closed (down) position. Upon actuation of the solenoid 286, the force of the spring 293 is overcome and the gate is raised so that subsequently rejected combs will be advanced under and past the gate and into alignment in attendance may thereafter grasp a handle 302 and pivot the magazine to an open position to facilitate the removal of defective articles therefrom.

Mode of operation To facilitate an understanding of the automatic operation of the machine and to eliminate the need for duplicating the showing and explanation of identical circuits that are associated with more than one test station, the various circuits provided for the verification machine illustrated in FIGS. 27 33 have been separated into distinct units.

A motor starting and control circuit is illustrated in FIG. 27 and is conditioned for operation in accordance with information derived from the punched card and fed to a master control relay circuit that is illustrated in FIG. 28. FIG. 29 represents an acceptance circuit associated with the 500 volt dielectric test station 61. A circuit such as that illustrated in FIG. 30 is provided for each of the test stations 62 and 67 whereat guide fin verification tests are performed; and an acceptance circuit of the type illustrated in FIG. 31 is provided for each of the test stations 62, 63, 66 and 67.

The various circuits are provided with a plurality of relays, the contacts of which may or may not be included in that same circuit. 'In order to facilitate association of relays and relay contacts without detailed explanation thereof, relay contacts operated by a relay are designated herein by the relay reference numeral followed by an identifying subscript letter. For example, the contacts controlled by a relay 402 are designated 402 402 and 402 etc. Safety switches, limit switches, push-button switches and the like are readily distinguishable from relay contacts since each of these various switches is designated by a whole number only.

At the outset of a cycle of operation, a normally open push button On switch 401 is depressed to complete a path for energizing current to a relay 402. Energizing current for the relay 402 is tapped from two conductors 404 and 406 of a three-phase system for the control motor 79 through a normally closed push button Ofi switch 400. Power is supplied to the conductors 404 and 406 and a conductor 405 from a source thereof upon closure of a master control switch 408.

tacts 402 and 402 and locking contact 402 12' When energized, relay 402 closes normally open con- Contacts 402 and 402 supply potential to conductors 409 and 411 through a transformer generally designated by the numeral 412. Energizing potential supplied to the conductors 409 and 411 is applied to a second timer 413 through a normally closed contact 414,, of a relay 414. The purpose of the timer 413 is to insure that the filaments of the various components included in the control circuit have sufficient time to warm upprior to the utilization thereof.

Subsequent to the expiration of the two-minute timing period and the 'energization of the timer 413., closure of a contact 413,, associated therewith completesa path for energizing current to the relay 414, resulting in the opening of the energizing circuit to the timer 413 by a :contact 414 and the closure of contacts 414,, and 414 The contact 414 is included in the energizing circuit for a drive motor control relay 416. Included inseries with the contact 414 is a contact 176 of the switch 176 that is provided at the first guide fin verification station 62, a contact 176,, associated withh-the switch 176 at the second guide fin verification station 67 and a pair of contacts 231 and 201 that are controlled by the actuation of the switches 201 at the first and second contact metal detector test stations 63 and 66. It will be recalled that these switches are actuated only when a test head is brought into engagement with a misaligned relay contact comb.

Also included in series with the contact 414 is a contact 441,. The contact 441 is closed upon energization of a relay 441 (FIG. 28) subsequent to the actuation of the card detecting switch S resulting from the insertion of a punched card into the machine. A pair of contacts 419,, and 420,, that are controlled by thermostatically controlled relays 419 and 420, respectively (explained below) and five normally closed relay contacts 426,, are also included in the energizing circuit for the relay 416. The relay contacts 426 are opened when control relays 426, which are associated with the second stage of each of the reject magazine control circuits '(FIG. 33) provided at test stations 61, 62, 63, 66 and 67, are deenergized. A0 cordingly, these contacts will only be opened when both of the reject magazines 68 and 69 are filled with defective articles. Also included is a normally closed push button Stop switch 432 provided for manual stopping of the mo- 416, a two-position Off-Run switch 434 and a locking contact 416 that is closed upon energization of the relay 416 being arranged in parallel with the Start switch .433.

A cycle of operation of the automatic verification machine is commenced when the Start switch 433 and Off- Run switch 434 are closed subsequent to the insertion of a punched card 71 into the machine and the resulting energization of the relay 441 which closes the contact 441 Assuming the switch 501 has previously been closed and that the two-minute timing period has elapsed, the contact 414 will also be closed.

The energizing circuit 'for the motor control relay 416 is completed by the contacts 419 and 420 that are drawn up upon energization of the relays 419 and 420. The energization of relays 419 and 420 occurs subsequent to the drawing up of a pair of thermostat contacts 443 and 444 which occurs prior to the expiration of the two-minute timing period when the heaters 207 reach a pre-established temperature. The temperature attained by the'heaters 207 for the two contact metal detector test heads is controlled by normally closed contacts 446 and 447 of a second pair of thermostats 448 and 449.

'Contacts 416,, 416,, and 416 which are closed upon energization of the drive motor control relay 416, apply three-phase potential which is supplied by the conductors 404, 405 and 406 to the motor 79. Upon being rendered efiective, the motor 79 will impart rotary motion to the drive shaft 83 and the indexing of combs in timed relation to the testing thereof will be commenced. Subse- 

